Why was Anno 1800 removed from Steam? An investigative look
Anno 1800‘s removal from Steam in 2019 came as a shock to fans, especially after they had supported the game throughout its development. This piece will take an in-depth look at the reasons behind the move, its aftermath, and what it means for the future of the iconic city-building series.
The decision stemmed from an exclusivity deal between Ubisoft and the Epic Games Store. Anno 1800 could only be purchased on Epic for its first 6 months of availability. For Ubisoft, this provided a favorable 88/12 revenue split compared to Steam‘s 70/30 baseline. But for series fans, it felt like a betrayal.
The deal heard ‘round the PC gaming world
Exclusivity contracts weren‘t new in gaming, but ripping a game with years of Steam availability and Wishlists away suddenly crossed a line for some. As an Anno superfan, I had been eagerly awaiting 1800 for months. When news of the Epic deal broke, it was a punch in the gut.
Ubisoft stood to gain millions from Epic‘s lower revenue sharing rate. Some estimated Anno 1800‘s sales neared $16 million in its first month. Had it launched simultaneously on Steam, would revenue have been even higher long-term by retaining fans? We‘ll never know for sure.
Community backlash and impact on sales
The Anno subreddits lit up with rage. Lifelong fans urged boycotts. Negative Steam reviews poured in, even though the game wasn‘t available on Valve‘s platform. Players felt slighted and that Ubisoft put profits over its most dedicated supporters.
However, the Epic exclusivity didn‘t appear to significantly damage sales. Anno 1800 became the fastest-selling title in the series, shifting over 1 million copies in its first 3 months. The vocal outrage online didn‘t deter the mainstream appeal.
But for a niche, strategy-focused fanbase, the PR damage was done. Pre-order bonuses went unclaimed. Special editions collected dust as some fans refused to purchase anywhere but Steam. Only time would tell how many would welcome Anno 1800 back with open arms down the road.
Post-exclusivity: Reconciling with spurned fans
When Anno 1800 finally launched on Steam in December 2022, responses were mixed. Some review bombings occurred from those still angry over the forced exclusivity period. Others joyfully proclaimed "All is forgiven!" as they eagerly purchased the game they‘d waited years for.
Early Steam reviews averaged "Mixed" with only 67% positive, a rarity for the acclaimed Anno series. But recent reviews are now "Very Positive" as more level-headed fans took to the forums. The Steam charts also tell an optimistic story, with Anno 1800 reaching #12 top-seller during its launch week.
While not all players are ready to forgive and forget, many seem excited to dig into what they felt was unfairly kept from them 3 years ago. But has too much damage already been done?
The golden years of continual growth
Anno 1800‘s post-launch support has been nothing short of extraordinary. Fifteen DLCs have released since 2019, from small cosmetic packs to massive expansions like Seat of Power which added a full palace system. Major free updates add requested features and quality of life changes every few months.
By comparison, 2015‘s Anno 2205 only saw 3 expansions during its entire lifecycle. Anno 1404 in 2009 had 6 major DLCs. 1800‘s post-launch roadmap has outpaced any previous game by a massive margin.
Some fans feared Ubisoft would quickly abandon Anno 1800 post-exclusivity, dooming it to a fate like 2016‘s disastrous Anno 2205. But continuous rollouts of meaty content updates shows their commitment is still strong.
Ongoing updates reinvigorate the community
The Anno Union engagement program lets fans actively participate in development. Their suggestions lead to impactful new systems, like advanced trade routes and production chains. For a game from 2019 to still feel so fresh in 2024 is a testament to Ubisoft‘s support.
But a years-long content roadmap is a double-edged sword. Does locking so much behind DLC risk alienating new players? Anno 1800 now has a bewildering amount of add-ons, making the Standard Edition feel lacking. The Complete Collection feels essential for the full experience but comes with a hefty $120+ price tag.
A return to Steam but challenges loom ahead
Ubisoft likely hopes returning to Steam will rejuvenate Anno 1800‘s sales momentum years later. And the company seems to be patching up relations across the board, with Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla also hitting Steam after a long absence.
But Ubisoft faces hurdles ahead. Mass talent departures since 2020 risk destabilizing its greatest franchises. Losing veteran developers who nurtured series like Anno, Far Cry and Assassin‘s Creed could severely impact long-term game quality and innovation.
Promising newcomers to please disgruntled fans after launch controversies and exclusivity deals is an uphill battle. But Anno 1800‘s Steam return at least seems a step in the right direction. Only time will tell whether Ubisoft can truly get back in PC gamers‘ good graces.
